KLH Model 5 speaker replacement options

[Phydeaux]

Hello all,
Just obtained a pair of KLH model 5 speakers not knowing what condition they were in when buying them. They seem to have a very strong reputation on this site and others so it seemed like a no brainer to pick them up.

(a little rough on the outside but think they’ll
Look great after light sanding and some light walnut stain)

Well after testing today for the first time they work and sound great! That being said they sound this way despite the high range tweeter on the right speaker being out and the one on the left having been replaced with what seems to be another brand speaker.

I would love to get these things back to how they once sounded but am having trouble finding any replacements. I’ve seen other brands that still offer replacements such as epicure, does anyone know of a reasonably affordable way for me to find these or am I better off scouting till I find some being sold secondhand?

 

[Phydeaux]

Well after digging a little deeper it seems they are very hard to find according to someone on Reddit. Sorry if this was an unnecessary thread, just would really like to experience these the way I know they’re capable of sounding. Something tells me I would have an easier time finding another working pair within my budget than to find the tweets..

 

[spark1]

Well after digging a little deeper it seems they are very hard to find according to someone on Reddit. Sorry if this was an unnecessary thread, just would really like to experience these the way I know they’re capable of sounding. Something tells me I would have an easier time finding another working pair within my budget than to find the tweets..

The person on Reddit was wrong. Replacements are fairly easy to find on ebay.
Same as in the Twelve and Twenty-Three.

You can also use tweeters from the Six, Seventeen, Thirty and Thirty-Three. They are very slightly different in construction, but will fit correctly, and would be hard to distinguish sonically from the "correct" one, at least based on my experience.

 

[RxDx]

Equivalent sounding tweeters were also used in the Model Twelve and Twenty Three.
Equivalent looking tweeters were used in the Six, Seventeen, Twenty.

 

[Phydeaux]

The person on Reddit was wrong. Replacements are fairly easy to find on ebay.

Okay that is good to know, all I saw were some woofers on there. Not sure if there is a specific model number I should be looking for. Not a whole lot of info on these besides forums and I think hificompendium if I’m not mistaken.
I’ll definitely keep my eyes peeled for them.

also thinking I should replace the caps,
Don’t have much soldering experience but I read that it’s not necessary, only recommended as they are secured by other means.

appreciate the reply.

 

[spark1]

Okay that is good to know, all I saw were some woofers on there. Not sure if there is a specific model number I should be looking for. Not a whole lot of info on these besides forums and I think hificompendium if I’m not mistaken.
I’ll definitely keep my eyes peeled for them.

also thinking I should replace the caps,
Don’t have much soldering experience but I read that it’s not necessary, only recommended as they are secured by other means.

appreciate the reply.

There are two different iterations of the Five crossover. Electronically the same, physically different. They should definitely be recapped...KLH used low grade caps, and yours are likely to have degraded significantly.

I cannot imagine how you would do these particular crossovers without soldering.

When searching for tweeters , use the speaker model numbers, as provided above.

 

[RxDx]

The other trick for restoration is getting woofer surround sealer from
vintage-ar on ebay. Low end will increase noticeably.

Here's a reference thread on early KLH systems. Lots-o'-data.

 

[Phydeaux]

Equivalent sounding tweeters were also used in the Model Twelve and Twenty Three.
Equivalent looking tweeters were used in the Six, Seventeen, Twenty.

Wondering if one of those are what the left was replaced with possibly...
I’ll expand my search, not worried about the looks so much now...just wanna hear these things proper. Couldn’t believe they sounded as good as they did when I first tested them.

 

[spark1]

And seal the wiring pass-thru into the midrange enclosure. Early versions used a cork for this; it will be dried out or turned to dust by now.

 

[Phydeaux]

The other trick for restoration is getting woofer surround sealer from
vintage-ar on ebay. Low end will increase noticeably.

Here's a reference thread on early KLH systems. Lots-o'-data.

I was reading that a bit before I bought them but will definitely need to go back and use the available threads on these to help me through. I’m a beginner in vintage audio in general so want to take my time and do it right, especially for something this old and well regarded.

 

[spark1]

Wondering if one of those are what the left was replaced with possibly...
I’ll expand my search, not worried about the looks so much now...just wanna hear these things proper. Couldn’t believe they sounded as good as they did when I first tested them.

That black tweeter is not from any of the KLH models mentioned as suitable donors.

 

[Phydeaux]

There are two different iterations of the Five crossover. Electronically the same, physically different. They should definitely be recapped...KLH used low grade caps, and yours are likely to have degraded significantly.

I cannot imagine how you would do these particular crossovers without soldering.

When searching for tweeters , use the speaker model numbers, as provided above.

I believe mine are the first iteration but will have to double check. I just read that thing about it not being necessary to solder I’ll try to find the page, it says it’s recommended though and I would. Need to practice on something else first a bit though.

 

[spark1]

I believe mine are the first iteration but will have to double check. I just read that thing about it not being necessary to solder I’ll try to find the page, it says it’s recommended though and I would. Need to practice on something else first a bit though.

If it is the direct wired version, vs thru-hole circuit board, you might be able to use wire nuts. But this kind of solder work is relatively easy.

 

[Phydeaux]

If it is the direct wired version, vs thru-hole circuit board, you might be able to use wire nuts. But this kind of solder work is relatively easy.

I believe that’s what it said but Id like to learn to solder and do it right. Have receivers that need the same so I’ll need to know eventually. I have quite a shopping list for supplies and tools since joining this site so may take me a bit to get everything going.

 

[Yodathedog]

 

[Tim D]

Wondering if one of those are what the left was replaced with possibly...
I’ll expand my search, not worried about the looks so much now...just wanna hear these things proper. Couldn’t believe they sounded as good as they did when I first tested them.

Phydeaux,

The tweeter on the left is not one of the mentioned KLH tweeters. It is from either a non-KLH speaker or if it is from a KLH it would be from a totally unrelated 1980's or newer model. Not what you want if you care about originality and how it sounds.

BTW, the tweeter on the right is missing it's metal screen. Not a big deal but it might may sound more prominent than it is intended to sound. Here's what the tweeter is supposed to look like.



You could get the screen from someones blown tweeter to replace it if you care. If you become an AK subscriber you could post a wanted to buy notice for one in the Bartertown area of AK.

I see your dust cap on the tweeter on the right is pushed in. It probably won't affect the sound, but if you care - some have had luck in using suction to pull them out. Maybe a reducer on a vacuum cleaner might do it for you - but be careful you don't damage the tweeter.

 

[gbroot]

Many times on these old KLH's a tweeter that is out (not producing sound) is actually still good. The caps in the old KLH's are notorious for being way out of spec or outright no longer working. My recommendation is that you go on the auction site and find a period correct tweeter and then get back to us on the recap and woofer cloth surround sealant processes. Feel free to message me. I've restored a couple sets of 5's and I'm kinda like you had no soldering experience. Not as daunting of a project as it may seem. Restoration of the cabinets also can add a lot satisfaction to the whole project. Great find! Good luck.

 

[Phydeaux]

Phydeaux,

The tweeter on the left is not one of the mentioned KLH tweeters. It is from either a non-KLH speaker or if it is from a KLH it would be from a totally unrelated 1980's or newer model. Not what you want if you care about originality and how it sounds.

BTW, the tweeter on the right is missing it's metal screen. Not a big deal but it might may sound more prominent than it is intended to sound. Here's what the tweeter is supposed to look like.

View attachment 1846759

You could get the screen from someones blown tweeter to replace it if you care. If you become an AK subscriber you could post a wanted to buy notice for one in the Bartertown area of AK.

I see your dust cap on the tweeter on the right is pushed in. It probably won't affect the sound, but if you care - some have had luck in using suction to pull them out. Maybe a reducer on a vacuum cleaner might do it for you - but be careful you don't damage the tweeter.

Was thinking subscribing would probably be my best bet as there’s no compatible tweeters listed elsewhere for sale at the moment that I can find at least. The closest I found would be for model 20 but after reading that reference thread I think that’s a no go. On a bit of a budget which is the only reason I haven’t subscribed yet, but now that I’m hooked on this hobby and love this site...it seems like a good investment. Thanks for the reply, this thread might be a lil slow rolling till I have everything but hoping i can post them working again here soon.

 

[Phydeaux]

Many times on these old KLH's a tweeter that is out (not producing sound) is actually still good. The caps in the old KLH's are notorious for being way out of spec or outright no longer working. My recommendation is that you go on the auction site and find a period correct tweeter and then get back to us on the recap and woofer cloth surround sealant processes. Feel free to message me. I've restored a couple sets of 5's and I'm kinda like you had no soldering experience. Not as daunting of a project as it may seem. Restoration of the cabinets also can add a lot satisfaction to the whole project. Great find! Good luck.

After reading more of that thread I was thinking that was a possibility as someone mentioned that replacing the caps fixed their tweeters. The sound out of right speaker with the dead tweeter feels weaker in general than the left which has a much more clear image with good separation. Thought maybe since the tweeter is out that it could have that effect on the rest, but the caps sound like the best place to start now.

either way I should keep a look out for a pair of tweeters since the other isn’t original and would like these to sound authentic and back to their old selves again. I’m still shocked that they sound as good as they do with all this wrong, can only imagine how good they’re gonna sound

 

[GD70]

After reading more of that thread I was thinking that was a possibility as someone mentioned that replacing the caps fixed their tweeters. The sound out of right speaker with the dead tweeter feels weaker in general than the left which has a much more clear image with good separation. Thought maybe since the tweeter is out that it could have that effect on the rest, but the caps sound like the best place to start now.

either way I should keep a look out for a pair of tweeters since the other isn’t original and would like these to sound authentic and back to their old selves again. I’m still shocked that they sound as good as they do with all this wrong, can only imagine how good they’re gonna sound

Do exactly that. Be patient, get the correct tweeters, recap, get the correct surround sealer for the woofer surrounds and dust cap, and the mids surrounds only.
The Five was designed to compete with the AR-3a, so it sits in very good company.